Group looks to set record straight on Africa

When Baba Koumare first came to America, he couldn’t speak English very well, but he understood that the media wasn’t portraying Africa in a positive light.

“When I got here, people would ask me, ‘Oh my God, Baba, do you wear shoes in Africa? Do you guys wear clothes? Do you live in trees? Do you have huts?’” the supply chain management junior said. “They’ve asked me ‘Do you have a lion?’ I’ve never seen a lion except when I came here to the U.S., and that was in a zoo. It’s kind of weird how Africa is portrayed, so that’s why I wanted to do something to change that.”

In hope of changing the perception many students have about Africa, the African Student Union has dedicated a week to educating and exposing people to African culture through food, dance, fashion and other expressions.

African Culture Week begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight with a presentation in Spartan Room B of the International Center, titled The Real Africa/War and Economic Exploration.

“It’s really important to know that Africa is moving ahead, we’re not falling behind. We’re not the same continent as we were 20 or 40 years ago,” said Koumare, president of ASU. “(In the past), we have succeeded in changing people’s minds.”

Other events during the week include a debate about external influences on Africa, a showing of the movie “Cry Freedom” and African Entertainment night, where students can learn African dances and games.

The largest event of the week is Saturday’s African gala, Afroganza: Bridging the Gap, held at MacDonald Middle School, 1601 Burcham Drive.

The gala will feature African dances, skits, poetry, music, food and a fashion show.

The event is free for students and open to the general public for $5.

Following the gala, there will be a Taste of Africa Reception, where people can try traditional African foods.

Candace Eason, a studio art junior and member of ASU, said the events of African Culture Week will allow students and community members to gain a deeper appreciation of African culture.

“People are not aware that half of the negativity that is portrayed by the media is typically wrong and falsified, to some extent,” she said.

“I would hope that the assumptions of Africa will diminish. By students attending the programs and going to certain activities, I hope that it broadens their perspectives and their views on Africa.”

Darius Beasley, a French junior and member of ASU, said his perceptions of Africa changed after studying French in West Africa in 2007.

“I lived in Senegal. That’s where I learned French and that prepared me for everything in my future because I want to be a French teacher,” he said. “I went to learn French outside of France … and that just opened up my eyes to another part of African culture.”

Published on Monday, November 17, 2008